Riyadh: Kuwait coach Jorvan Vieira has warned the UAE not to expect an easy ride in their second group match of the Gulf Cup on Monday.
Record 10-times champions Kuwait got off to a 1-0 wining start against Iraq in their opening game at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium on Friday, thanks to a stoppage time screamer from Fahad Al Enezi.
Iraq had otherwise dominated proceedings with Justin Meram having shots cleared off the line and tipped onto the post before Salim Shaker’s diving header from a cross was put wide.
Vieira added that just because Kuwait’s opening win against the 2013 runners-up leaves them sitting pretty at the top of Group B, it doesn’t mean The Blues will take it easy against defending champions UAE, who drew 0-0 with Oman in their opening game on Friday.
“The UAE have a good team, who have been together many years,” he said. “But Kuwait is also part of a group that has been together a long time, mixed with new players. The game will be interesting because the UAE has to play to win.
“Because we’ve already won, we will have to learn to play tactically and explore the situation very well. That does not mean we will play defensively – no way.”
On his sides’ win over Iraq, he said: “The victory has so many important points for us and for our group. This win can push us to work harder to continue this tournament and do much better.
“We made mistakes against Iraq but we will try to correct that, it’s normal, no-one is perfect, it’s just important we got the victory and the three points.”
UAE coach Mahdi Ali said earlier after their goalless draw against Oman: “We will strive to offer a better performance in the next match and we will seek to better exploit our chances.
“Our focus now is on the next leg with Kuwait and we’ll review this performance and try to remedy our deficiencies and seek to improve before the second game.”
